This is a record of my visits with artists in their studios. While I am there I do drawings of the studio and talk with the artist.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Jon Lutz: GOLD RECORDS

This week I had the unique opportunity to do a drawing session during the installation of a show curated by Jon Lutz of Daily Operation at ART BLOG ART BLOG, a fantastic new space run by Joshua Abelow in Chelsea. I have been a follower of Lutz's work for some time now; he is definitely a curator to watch. Lutz's approach is truly conceptually innovative, bringing a breath of fresh air to the young contemporary art world.

For the show Gold Records, Lutz has chosen a handful of artists he had featured on his former blog The Old Gold. The artists are: Ron Amstutz, Erik den Breejen, Patrick Brennan, Ned Colclough, Stacy Fisher, Jaime Gecker, Sara Greenberger Rafferty, Christopher Knowles, Max Schumann, J.D. Walsh, and Wendy White. Jon chose these artists based on their works' connection to various aspects of culture from the 60's on. He is making a record of artists that are making records of society's sights and sounds.

Wendy White

Jon: Josh tell me if you think this wall is too crowded or if the work is too high, I wanted the paintings to meet at the top.

Joshua: No, they're not too high, I think it looks fucking great!

There's nothing quite like watching a curator install their show. This is where Jon's art happens. Where to put what and how high to put it? Jon was moving things from one wall to another in order to get it just right. The space was filled with vivacious anticipation for the opening night. I watched Jon as he unveiled the art that was all wrapped up from delivery. I loved seeing how delighted he was as he reconnected with the pieces he had picked weeks prior in the different artists' studios. I was delighted to see them too. This is going to be one rocking show, I thought.

J.D. Walsh

And then at the end of the week I went to the opening celebration. It was a great party, everyone was really stoked on the show. As was I. You gotta go see it.